Rangers C Zibanejad (illness) to return Thursday

After missing Tuesday night's game against the Winnepeg Jets with flu-like
symptoms, New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad is expected to play Thursday
night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Zibanejad, 24, ranks second on the team in goals (19) and fourth in points
(34) in 57 appearances this season. In his sixth full NHL season, he is three
goals shy of a new career high.

The Rangers could also be getting top defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk back from a
knee injury soon.

The 29-year-old skated with his teammates Tuesday for the first time since
Jan. 22, when he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee,
an injury that was originally suffered in training camp.

New York sits last in the Metropolitan Division with 66 points, although there
are seven other NHL teams with lower totals.